Factors Affecting Bone Health

Modifiable factors that promote bone health

• Regular physical activity
• Good eating habits
• Adequate calcium intake
• Adequate vitamin D status

Modifiable factors that increase the risk for bone loss

• Underweight and/or malnutrition
• Inadequate calcium intake throughout life
• Medication (some types of anti-convulsants or glucocorticoids)
• Low oestrogen level in women; low testosterone level in men
• Physical inactivity
• Excessive exercise combined with low energy intake
• Smoking and alcohol abuse

Non-modifiable factors that increase the risk for bone loss

• Gender: Women are more prone to bone loss than men.
• Age: Bone loss increases with age.
• Body size: Small, thin women have a higher risk for bone loss than larger-built women.
• Ethnicity: Caucasian and Asian women have a greater risk for bone loss than African American and Hispanic women. The latter groups yet still have a significant risk for bone loss.
• Heredity: Children of an osteoporosis sufferer will likely also display reduced bone mass and have increased risk for developing osteoporosis.